NCDC Defends Competence-Based Curriculum Amidst Cost Concerns

The National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) has strongly defended Uganda’s competence-based curriculum, addressing public concerns regarding its perceived high cost. Officials from the NCDC explained that the curriculum, launched in February 2020 for lower secondary education, is designed to equip students with practical skills and critical thinking abilities, moving away from traditional rote learning.

While the COVID-19 pandemic initially disrupted its implementation, the NCDC noted that the lockdown period allowed for essential teacher orientation on the new pedagogical approach. The curriculum shifts the teacher’s role from direct instruction to facilitation, encouraging more active student participation through group work, brainstorming, and scenario-based problem-solving.

The school day structure has also been modified, with dedicated time for practical learning, projects, and sports following classroom lessons. Despite these changes, some parents have voiced concerns about increased financial burdens due to project materials and a perceived lack of understanding of the new system by both students and educators.

Taddeo Bwambale, NCDC Public Relations Officer, dismissed these cost-related worries, asserting that the curriculum is not expensive as it encourages the use of common, readily available materials such as plastics and paper for projects. He highlighted that the curriculum’s introduction was a necessary response to global changes and the evolving demands of society, aiming to prepare learners with applicable real-world competencies.

Bwambale also indicated that NCDC is continuously reviewing the curriculum, including plans to assess and potentially adjust primary and pre-primary education components. The overarching goal remains to foster skills development, critical thinking, and problem-solving to better equip students for life’s challenges.

Source: Nile Post